The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-06-29

ScDar2DlC from Quulanlty. ueu ulS
will was opened, it was found that he had
'cut up" up much more richly than was
expected. Very considerable legacies
were left to relatives with whom he
had not been on the most intimate terms.
My name came last on the list. 'Now
for it," I mentally calculated. The
lawyer was terribly long coming to the
point.
ITO my favoritc nephew, John Rut
gers fremont, 1 give and bcqueath my
oak library writing table, with all its
notes, memoranda and contents, in the
hope that he, when sitting before it, will
find, rs 1 have often done, profitable i'll
spiration. And l charge him, by his re.
gard for me, never to part with said
writing table"
'tIs that all2"I cried, unable to con-
seal my disappointment. "No further
bequest?"
'Nothing whatever, sir, only the
table and its contents. The drawers
were duly sealed, and your legacy will be
delivered toyou with the seals unbroken,"
replied the lawyer.
I went sadly home. and told my wife
of our ill.luck.
Don't despair, dear" she said,
there may be something in those sealed
drawers. You know how eccentric he
was. Don't you remember our wedding
present"
"Uncle Robert was not the man to
leave money or valuable securities in an
old desk, " exclaimed little petulantly.
'I wouldn't be too sure of that" said
the dearest girl, who has quiet but
determined way of sticking to point
and slightly unpleasant habit of too
often remembering when she was right
and her lawful lord was wrong.
The next day the table was delivered,
and my receipt therefor taken. 1t was
solid, but battered affair, having row
of drawers on each side of the hole for
the writer's legs, and fiat top covered
with a much ink-splashed piece of green
baize. With the most careful scrutiny
we went through the contents. Nothing
but worthless old paper and memoranda
rewarded US.
"Perhaps there is secret drawer"
suggested my wife. Iprobed and pushed
and sounded and measured till I was
firmly convinced that no such receptacle
existed.
'Idon't want the numbering old thing"
I cried. Il shall call in q secondhand
dealer and sell it."
'"Oh, no. Jack, you mustn't do that!
Remember how kind he was to us, and
he expressly begged you never to part
with it. Now you really have not COM
Portable desk. If vel have this vanished
up, it will do splendidly for your den."
~ will not have cent spent upon it,
and won't use it..
cat least, Jack, let me put new cloth
on the top. I can cut one to fit, and
glue it down at the edges, and put the
old leather back as neatly as can be-"
Understand me, Belle, not a cent,
and won't use the blessed thing"
I passed miserable evening, reviling
the general deceit of man, and the lack
of appreciation in uncles in particular.
When went to my den the next day
found the table duly installed in the
center, and all my papers neatly arranged
on the top or in the drawers. I think
said before that the "dearest girl" has
quiet but effective method of getting
her own way. I did not care to add to
her disappointment (Which I know was
as keen as mine, though she bore it
better by thwarting her so-plainly-shown
wish. And, after all, the table was con-
venient. There was no denying that,
but am afraid I did not voluntarily ac-
knowledge it.
Nearly three months had elapsed from
the time of receiving my legacy, when
on sitting down to it one morning dis
covered several long Sits in the cloth. I
summoned my wife, and inquired who
had been there.
81 think Bobby was in here cutting
out a boat"
"Bobby cuts out too many boats, and
cuts them out in the wrong places. Be
so kind as to find that young gentleman
and send him to me-"
CHOW don't be too severe with him,
Jack; it's only worthless bit of baize
that ought to have been replaced long
ago."
"That boy is getting too destructive.
Oblige me by staying away while talk
to him. Your sympathetic looks destroy
the effect of my seedlings"
"Well, if you will only sco!d, I don't
mind.
zone would think I was brute, Belle,
to hear you talk"
She went away, and in few minutes
Master Bobby appeared, looking very
guilty.
"What were you doing here yester-
day2" I enquired.
''Only cutting out boat, Pop"
"Haven't I told you 1 will not be
called Pope and you cut my table at the
same time"
"Only little bit, Pop-I mean Pa"
''Do you call that "a little bit2' I
asked, indicating gash about seven
inches long.
II can glue that down for you," said
the unabaShed youth, calmly sticking his
fingers into the rent. As he did so, he
gave cry which instantly brought his
mother into the room. l suppose she had
been listening at the door.
"See here, Pop" my hopeful ex-
claimed, "here's bank bill under the
cloth;" and he drew it out in triumph.
Sure enough it was $50 greenback. In
an instant had ripped that old baize off,
and found that under it, neatly
arranged, was lining of big bills,
amounting in all to $4,000. There was